Garden of May

Separate from his changed opinion of Vanessa, and separate from the ‘fair and equal’ contract they had established, Theodore considered this a reasonable and sufficient reward for a summer that had been, all in all, enjoyable.

After all, he had deceived Vanessa and enjoyed her misunderstanding. Edgar, unaware of this, looked rather shocked, assuming Theodore had gone to such lengths merely for love.

“You intend to pour a truly immense sum of gold into this worthless land, yet you won’t marry her?”

Theodore relaxed his upright posture slightly, leaning back against the chair.

“She’s a woman of that much value, and marriage offers no further advantage. I’m perfectly satisfied as things are.”

“…Does the lady know you’re doing all this?”

“Of course not. And she has no need to.”

Edgar stared at his cousin, uncharacteristically speechless.

“I really, really don’t say this often. No, I never imagined I’d be saying this to you…”

“What.”

“Just don’t come to regret this later, Theodore.”

“……”

“What… Why… Why are you looking at me like that?”

Edgar looked rather ridiculous, flinching with his arms raised defensively, as if they were about to trade blows like they did when they were six or seven.

“Say it again.”

“Say what.”

Edgar, briefly reviewing their conversation at the command, asked suspiciously, “Your name? Theodore?”

“Strange. It sounds foul coming from you.”

“…Wow.”

Just as Edgar, aghast, was about to retort, the door that had been firmly shut swung open. The Count of Essex bustled across the room and sat opposite them. His plump face was filled with a baseless hope for the future, suggesting his prior conversation had gone well.

“Oh, dear. I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting so long.”

The Count settled into his seat, pretending to scratch at the few strands of hair left on his head.

“Regarding our terms… well, Your Grace is investing such a large sum for the development of the south, so of course, I wish I could offer you the land for a pittance…. But is a domain property that I can dispose of as I please? It is something my family has protected for generations…”

“You have a different price in mind, then.”

“Ahem, well, frankly, yes…. My advisor will be here shortly with our terms. The Count of Somerset should also arrive within ten minutes.”

“Excellent.”

Theodore checked his pocket watch, snapping it shut. Ten minutes was an adequate amount of time to size someone up.

He elegantly crossed his long legs, resting his lightly clasped hands on his knee.

The simple gesture exuded an oppressive air that belied the young duke’s age.

“Now, let us coordinate the terms.”

***

—As you know, My Lady. The will was drawn up as a notarized document, and there were no issues with the registration procedure. I fail to see why you are carrying on like this.

Vanessa anxiously chewed her lip and tightened her grip on the receiver. Listening to the bureaucratic voice on the line, she felt like a child throwing a wretched tantrum.

“I’m not trying to question the document’s validity. It’s just that he was the one who notarized my parents’ will, and I wish to meet him to discuss something.”

—That does not sound like a matter I can assist you with.

“I just need his address.”

—If you wish to identify the person who notarized the will, you must go to the state court. The name and address of the attesting lawyer are all listed there, without omission.

“I’ve already looked all that up.”

—…You’ve looked it all up?

Vanessa straightened her spine, as if the person on the other end of the line could see her. She refused to let her intimidation show.

“Georges Heather. Currently missing. Unmarried, no known relatives. I even went to the address listed as his office, only to be told it closed down years ago. And…”

It was a connection she had barely managed to find after scouring all the old records registered with the North Somerset state court. She couldn’t let this chance slip away so easily. She hesitated, then carefully ventured,

“I also confirmed that during the time Mr. Heather was active as our family’s advisor, you were also registered at the same office address.”